Synthesis of metal alkyl carbonates

Abstract

A process is described for preparing metal alkyl carbonates, useful as carboxylating agents, which comprises reacting an inorganic metal salt with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and carbon dioxide under substantially anhydrous conditions in the presence of a solid acid acceptor, said alcohol being employed in sufficient amount to form a solution of the resulting metal alkyl carbonate in the alcohol.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for preparing metal alkyl carbonates which comprises reacting an inorganic metal salt with an alkyl monohydric alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and carbon dioxide under substantially anhydrous conditions in the presence of a solid acid acceptor, said salt being soluble in said alcohol and said alcohol being employed in sufficient amount to form a solution of the resulting metal alkyl carbonate in the alcohol. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the acid acceptor is a basic ion exchange resin. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2 wherein the basic ion exchange resin is a weakly basic ion exchange resin comprised of a solid polymer having tertiary alkylamine groups affixed thereto. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of alcohol to metal salt is at least about 1.6:1. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted under pressure with carbon dioxide. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 wherein the metal salt is magnesium chloride. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 wherein the metal salt is nickel chloride. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 1 wherein the alcohol is methanol. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 1 wherein up to about 25% by weight of the alcohol is replaced by an organic co-solvent soluble in said alcohol. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 1 wherein the inorganic metal salt is magnesium chloride, the alcohol is methanol and the resulting metal alkyl carbonate is magnesium methyl carbonate. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 1 wherein the inorganic metal salt is nickel chloride, the alcohol is methanol and the resulting metal alkyl carbonate is nickel methyl carbonate.